Criminology (Honours) The Open University UK

Overview

Within this Criminology (Honours) BA programme from The Open University UK with an appreciation of criminological theorising and evidence, you will develop the skills to comment on crime, victimisation, and responses to crime and deviance, including policy questions, at national, international and global levels.

Key features of the Criminology (Honours) degree programme from The Open University UK

• Explore controversial issues of crime, harm and criminal justice

• Evaluate claims made about crime, criminals, victims and criminal justice

• Learn to critically evaluate evidence to better understand criminological problems

• Examine the role of both theory and research in shaping knowledge about crime and justice

• Explore criminological topics of your own interest in depth in the final year of study

Skills for career development

This degree will enable you to formulate and investigate criminological questions, summarise and explain empirical information and research findings and to assess methodologies used to address topical criminological questions. You will learn how to apply basic research tools, access qualitative and quantitative data on crime, victimisation and the societal responses to them. 

Overall, the qualification will aim to equip you with the skills to discuss criminological topics with an appreciation of criminological theory and evidence and to comment on the value of criminological work on crime, victimisation, and responses to crime and deviance and in relation to policy questions at national, international and global levels.

Career relevance

This degree is relevant to a wide range of career paths, some of which are listed below. Some relate directly to criminology, while others draw upon the transferable skills that you will acquire throughout the qualification. Successful graduates may also progress to specialist masters courses.

 While this degree does not guarantee entry to the career fields listed below, it may improve access, increase your employability, and enhance your prospects of career progression.

In the meantime if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree):

• youth worker
• victim support officer
• police officer
• probation officer
• prison officer

• social researcher 
• community development worker 
• social worker
• civil servant
• teacher